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Sometimes we need to sell our vehicle for various reasons. Selling a hybrid to someone who does not understand them as we do can be a challenge. There is a way to increase the value of your Prius and also reassure the new owner that everything is going to be okay.

If you are not sure whether you need to sell your Prius or keep it, check out my other article, 3 reasons to consider selling your Toyota Prius, that can help you.

So, what is this device you ask? It is a charger and discharger system from Hybrid Automotive that keeps your hybrid battery in tiptop shape. To better understand how this device increases value on your Prius, you first need to understand how it works.

Battery Reconditioning For Toyota Prius, Simplified
There are plenty of people out there that are willing to give their opinion on how hybrid batteries can be repaired with just a simple replacement of a failed module. While this is true, it is only true to an extent. Understanding why battery modules fail is key in knowing how to keep them from failure too early on and maximize their lifespan.

Hybrid battery modules built with Nickel-Metal Hydride technology are susceptible to voltage depressions or capacity loss. This is inevitable just due to the chemistry of the battery itself. There is no way to reverse this from happening, which is why the batteries fail over time. This is one reason that the Prius has hybrid battery problems.

There used to be no real good way around this until now. Jeff Sloan of Hybrid Automotive has developed and patented a system that can help batteries that are in failure and even reverse temporarily the condition of voltage depression. His system is remarkable and works to balance the batteries beyond what our Prius can do. This means that we can save batteries before they get into failure and extend their life.

For more information on the Prolong System, you can visit his site here.

The Reason Prolong Systems Increase Value On Prius
The reason that the Prolong system increases value on your Prius, is this system adds in an element we were never taught as Prius owners. That is hybrid battery maintenance.

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Batteries in the Prius and other hybrid cars that rely on these high voltage systems all go through phases of battery life. Phase one is where the battery lives for most of its life. Phase 2 we begin to see more engine run time, slightly fewer miles per gallon and less performance. Phase 3 we see increased engine runtime, negative recalibrations, and then have trouble codes such as the P0A80.

It is usually in phase 3 where Prius owners then have to consider other options for battery replacement. The thing is, if they would have learned about how their battery works, they could have saved it from this failure so early on. Taking a snapshot from collected data on Mitchell1 the data speaks for itself. If we could extend the life of the battery even by 1000,000 miles, this would greatly reduce the cost of owning a Prius.

Not only that, but it would also increase the value having this system installed in your Prius. Having the Prolong system installed means that any new owner that picks up your Prius can then also benefit from the regular battery conditioning.

This means that the new owner has less to worry about and more Prius to enjoy.

Conclusion
While the KBB value may not say this is an "official" upgrade, the idea that you can take control of owning your own hybrid battery system adds value to the potential new owner. It is more appealing to own a car that allows you to maintain the battery over one that does not. Simple as that.

I hope you have enjoyed reading, be sure to check out my other story, This new battery could make the Toyota Prius the ultimate hybrid.